Vladimir Putin Meets Uzbek President Karimov

Russian president Vladimir Putin met with his Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimov in the Moscow Kremlin on Saturday. The president of Uzbekistan is in the Russian capital on an official visit Saturday. During bilateral talks, the two leaders discussed ways to develop economic and social ties and escalate trade and technological cooperation. Karimov also attended a ceremony at the 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier' just outside the Kremlin wall. During the ceremony, Karimov and his entourage paid tribute to the fallen WWII heroes and laid a wreath. Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union until 1991 when it became independent and retains strong ties with Russia.